Ecuador’s new national airline Equair has selected AFI KLM E&M – whose parent companies Air France and KLM trace their roots back to the dawn of aviation – to provide component support for its two Boeing 737 NGs.
The multi-year contract includes maintenance, repairs, and access to AFI KLM E&M’s spare parts pool, as well as the provision of an advanced stock (main base kit) at the customer’s base at Mariscal Sucre International Airport near Quito.
The services are provided under the 737 Component Services Program (CSP) jointly operated by Boeing and AFI KLM E&M. Through the CSP, Equair benefits from the dual expertise of a leading aircraft manufacturer and an MRO-Airline with intimate knowledge of the needs and operational challenges of airlines.
Equair can also count on the scale of AFI KLM E&M’s worldwide network, as well as the long experience of its Amsterdam and Miami workshops on 737 components. Their in-house repair capabilities cover the largest part of the component removals on the 737 fleet. Last but not least, the logistical support to Equair will be all the more efficient and responsive as KLM operates daily direct and indirect flights between Amsterdam, Miami and Quito.
Gabriela Sommerfeld, CEO of Equair, said: “It is important for us to start our operations with the highest level of quality, therefore we have chosen a leading MRO solution which guarantees the availability of parts and thus the availability of our fleet for the benefit of our customers.”
EVP KLM Engineering & Maintenance, Ton Dortmans, added: “The creation of a new company is always good news, and we are very happy to welcome Equair among the global air transport family. We are also very honoured by the trust they have placed in us to support their components. We are committed to providing the best service to contribute to the success of their operations and the growth of their fleet. This is the beginning of a long-term partnership between our companies which may one day go beyond the MRO field.”
